Party in the Park returns July 31 for free fun for all ages

View full sizeTualatin Hills Park & Recreation DistrictThe giant inflatables are popular attractions for children during the annual Party in the Park event at THPRD's Howard M. Terpenning Recreation Complex.

View full sizeTualatin Hills Park & Recreation DistrictThe demonstration by the Beaverton Police Department K-9 unit attracts large crowds each year during THPRD's Party in the Park.

When the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District calls its annual Party in the Park celebration an extravaganza of free fun, it’s no stretch.

Take, for example, this year's event, scheduled for July 31 at THPRD's Howard M. Terpenning Complex, 158th and Walker Road in Beaverton:

* Children will ride ponies, enjoy magic and music, check out a colorful Mexican folk dance by Ballet Papalotl, climb walls, get their faces and hair painted, do arts and crafts, and bounce, slide and jump on more giant inflatables than ever before.
* Police dogs will fascinate their human admirers with a demonstration orchestrated by the Beaverton Police K-9 Unit. The show is so popular it has been moved this year to the HMT Complex's main field.
* Kids and parents will swim, bike and run together in the non-competitive Family Triathlon. They'll also take part in a variety of other sports activities, including a tennis clinic and free open swim.
* Automobile lovers of all ages will flock to The Classic at T-Hills to ogle row upon row of vintage cars, trucks and motorcycles.
* And just to make sure everyone stays cool on what is typically a warm day, THPRD will offer misting stations, specially built canopies showering users with refreshing watery mist.

Those are just the highlights of a day that will start at 8:30 a.m. with The Classic at T-Hills car show. The Family Triathlon gets under way at 9. Most activities will begin at 10 a.m. or later, wrapping up at 3 p.m. with the Get a Life Marching Band. A full schedule is available on THPRD's website, www.thprd.org.

Admission to all activities is free. The only fees apply to participants in the Family Triathlon and exhibitors in The Classic at T-Hills. See www.thprd.org for details.

“In this economy, people want entertainment at low or no cost, and Party in the Park fills that need,” said Doug Menke, THPRD general manager. “It’s our biggest community event of the year, with something free for everyone, and we’re expecting several thousand people again.”

2010 marks the fifth consecutive year that Park District volunteers and staff have produced the event.

“Party in the Park is a way for us to showcase much of what we offer to the public at our main HMT complex throughout the year,” Menke said. “But even more than that, by making this a free event, we get to say ‘thank you’ to the community for supporting us and making us successful.”

Food and beverages will be available for sale during the day. Parking will be free and attendees will have several options.

“The HMT Complex spans more than 90 acres so we have significant parking capacity on site,” Menke said. “In addition, experience has taught us that attendees tend to come and go throughout the day, so parking spots are frequently opening up for new arrivals.”